2018 in Australian television explained

This is a list of Australian television-related events, debuts, finales, and cancellations that are scheduled to occur in 2018, the 63rd year of continuous operation of television in Australia.

Events

January

DateEventSource
1The ABC's coverage of the annual midnight Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks is watched by 1.49 million viewers[1]
Gerard Whateley announced he is leaving the ABC after a 17-year career, including as host of Offsiders, moving to radio station 1116 SEN.[2]
7SBS airs a three-hour commercial and commentary-free program The Ghan which follows The Ghan train from Adelaide to Darwin in the first locally produced slow television event series. It becomes the channel's highest rated broadcast in 12 months with 583,000 national viewers. Sister channel SBS Viceland runs a 17-hour extended version the following weekend lasting from 2:40am to 8:30pm.[3]
8Following accusations around inappropriate conduct of actor Craig McLachlan in a stage show, the ABC removes all episodes of The Doctor Blake Mysteries, which McLachlan starred in, from its channels and ABC iview. Producers of the series December Media also announce they are temporarily suspending production of a future season for the Seven Network.[4]
17Seven Network soap opera Home and Away marks 30 years since its debut on 17 January 1988. The program, which is the second longest-running Australian drama, begins its 31st season on 29 January.[5]
22Georgie Gardner debuts as co-host of Today following the exit of Lisa Wilkinson in October 2017[6]
31World Movies, an original launch channel on Foxtel in 1995, closes as a linear channel, continuing on only as an on demand offering and a branded segment on other movie channels.[7]

February

DateEventSource
9The ABC holds its first Annual Public Meeting, which involves the ABC Board taking publicly submitted questions.[8]
9–25The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea aired on the channels of the Seven Network[9] [10]
11The official 2018 OzTam television ratings period begins[11]
28Eurosport News, FX Australia and Nat Geo People cease broadcasting on all Australian platforms[12]

March

DateEventSource
1Discovery Channel and TLC become available on Fetch TV[13]
9Bill McDonald is removed as co-anchor of Seven News Brisbane.[14]
12Fiona O'Loughlin wins the fourth season of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here![15]
14 - 20Seven News Melbourne presenter Peter Mitchell is slammed by the Supreme Court of Victoria for blatantly using inappropriate wording to describe the ongoing murder trial of Peter Dupas on the bulletin that aired on 14 March 2018.[16] [17]
22Claudia Anton wins the fourth season of The Great Australian Bake Off[18]
25A two-week suspension in OzTam television ratings begins for the Easter break.
Network Ten and its primary channel record their lowest ever weekly share for the 18–25 March 2018 week since OzTAM ratings began in 2001.[19]
29The Nine Network secures the rights to televise the Australian Open tennis tournament from 2020 - 24. However, three months later, the deal is brought forward by twelve months.[20]

April

DateEventSource
2"X Games Sydney" win the inaugural season of Australian Spartan[21]
4–15The 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Queensland will air on the channels of the Seven Network[22]
8Official OzTam ratings resume after a two-week non-ratings period over Easter.

June

DateEventSource
18Sam Perry wins the seventh season of The Voice[24]
25The Nine Network secures the rights to televise the Australian Open tennis tournament from 2019 onwards, twelve months earlier than planned.[25]
29Better Homes and Gardens airs its 1,000th episode[26]

July

DateEventSource
1The 60th Annual TV Week Logie Awards were held at The Star Gold Coast. As well as being staged in Queensland for the first time, the event introduced a number of changes including live re-voting, reducing the number of award categories, renaming of publicly voted categories and eligibility changes. The ceremony was held much later in the year than previous ceremonies to avoid clashing with the 2018 Commonwealth Games also being held on the Gold Coast.[27]
30Toad and Mandy win the sixth season of House Rules[28]
31Sashi Cheliah wins the tenth season of MasterChef Australia[29]

September

DateEventSource
24The ABC Board sacks managing director Michelle Guthrie halfway through her five year contract.[30]
27Chairman of the ABC Justin Milne resigns after claims emerge about political interference at the ABC and the surprise sacking of Michelle Guthrie days earlier.[31]

October

DateEventSource
4For the first time in the Australian version of The Bachelor, Nick Cummins fails to choose a winner in the finale of the sixth season.[32]
9Shane Gould wins Australian Survivor: Champions vs. Contenders, the fifth season of Australian Survivor[33]
11Major glitches ruins what was to be Ian Henderson's final ABC News Victoria bulletin, with the New South Wales bulletin instead broadcast. He eventually presents his final bulletin the following evening, with Tamara Oudyn named as his replacement.[34] [35]
28Hayden and Sara win the fourteenth season of The Block[36]
31Network Ten launches a major network branding, including introducing a new logo for the first time since 1991. Channel Ten becomes Channel 10, while multichannels ONE and ELEVEN are rebranded as 10 Boss (later renamed to 10 Bold) and 10 Peach respectively.[37]

November

DateEventSource
2Sky News Live sacks Ross Cameron after making racist comments as co-host of Outsiders, becoming the second original co-host to be fired due to controversial comments made on the program after Mark Latham in 2017.[38]
15Ali Oetjen chooses Taite Radley in the finale of season four of The Bachelorette.[39]
25Lai Utovou wins the inaugural season of All Together Now.[40]

December

DateEventSource
1The last day of the official 2018 OzTam television ratings period.
18Weekend Today Co-Host Peter Stefanovic announces he's leaving the Nine Network after 15 Years.https://mumbrella.com.au/peter-stefanovic-to-leave-nine-after-15-years-557872

Television channels

New channels

Renamed channels

Channel closures

Premieres

Television programs which debut for the first time on Australian television.

Domestic series

Program! scope="col"
Original airdateChannelSource
Romper Stomper[46]
Hughesy, We Have a Problem[47]
Grace Beside Me[48]
Australian Spartan[49] [50]
Bachelor in Paradise Australia[51]
Picnic at Hanging Rock[52]
Love Island Australia[53]
Bite Club[54]
BlueyABC Kids (Australia) Disney Junior (Internacional)
Paramedics[55]

International series

Program! scope="col"
Original airdateChannelCountry of originSource
S.W.A.T.United States [56]
SEAL TeamUnited States [57]
Hard SunUnited Kingdom [58] [59]
Celebrity Big BrotherUnited States [60]
Blue Planet IIUnited Kingdom [61]
CorporateUnited States [62]
The ResidentUnited States [63] [64]
Wellington ParanormalNew Zealand [65]

Programming changes

Changes to channel affiliation

Criterion for inclusion in the following list is that Australian premiere episodes will air in Australia for the first time on a new channel. This includes when a program is moved from a free-to-air channel's primary channel to a digital multi-channel, as well as when a program moves between subscription television channels – provided the preceding criterion is met. Ended television series which change networks for repeat broadcasts are not included in the list.

Program! scope="col"
DateNew channelPrevious channelCountry of originSource
The Simpsons United States [66]

Free-to-air premieres

This is a list of programs which made their premiere on Australian free-to-air television that had previously premiered on Australian subscription television. Programs may still air on the original subscription television network.

Subscription premieres

This is a list of programs which made their debut on Australian subscription television, having previously premiered on Australian free-to-air television. Programs may still air (first or repeat) on the original free-to-air television channel.

Returning programs

Australian produced programs which are returning with a new season after being absent from television in the previous calendar year.

Program! scope="col"
Return dateChannelOriginal runSource
Talkin' 'Bout Your GenerationNine Network2009-2012 (Ten)[67]
Sports TonightNetwork Ten1993-2011[68]
All Aussie AdventuresNetwork Ten2001-2004[69]
Blind DateNetwork Ten1991[70]

Endings

Program! scope="col"
End dateNetworkStart date<-- Limit to year of start date unless program first aired in this year -->Source
Blind Date19 DecemberNetwork 1015 October[71]
The Checkout17 AprilABC21 March 2013[72]
Game of Games15 DecemberNetwork 107 October
ScreenPLAY27 April7mate29 June 2017[73]
Shark Tank7 August Network Ten8 February 2015[74]

Deaths

DateNameAgeBroadcast credibilityReferences
16 January aged 91Actress known for Number 96 as Pyillis Pratt and Neighbours as Marlene Kratz[75]
17 January Jessica Falkholt aged 29Actress in the television series Home and Away as Hope Morrison.[76]
4 May Cathy Godboldaged 33Actress best known as role in Home and Away as Meg Bowman[77]
28 May Cornelia Frances (OAM)aged 77 Actress starred in The Young Doctors, Sons and Daughters, Home and Away and hosted The Weakest Link[78]
9 JulySam Chisholm (AO)aged 78New Zealand born Australian media executive, known for the Nine Network[79]
1 December aged 70Actress best known for her roles in The Young Doctors as Tania Livingstone and in cult series Prisoneras Sandra "Pixie" Mason.[80]
26 December aged 61 Australian actress best known for the serial A Country Practice as Vicki Dean Bowen, E Street as Dr. Elly Fielding, and Neighbours as Prue Brown and presenter of The Great Outdoors [81]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Knox . David . 2 January 2018 . Oops, one random slip but ABC concert hits NYE sweet spot. . 11 January 2018 . TV Tonight.
  2. Web site: Waterworth . Ben . 11 January 2018 . Gerard Whateley joins SEN radio, leaves ABC to take on morning program and chief caller roles . 11 January 2018 . . News Corp Australia.
  3. Web site: Samios . Zoe . 11 January 2018 . SBS Viceland to run 17 hour un-cut version of The Ghan this weekend . 11 January 2018 . Mumbrella.
  4. News: Knowles . Lorna . 8 January 2018 . Craig McLachlan: Doctor Blake makers put production on hold pending police investigation . 11 January 2018 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  5. Web site: Knox . David . 17 January 2018 . Home and Away turns 30! . 17 January 2018 . TV Tonight.
  6. Web site: Kelly . Vivienne . 23 January 2018 . Georgie Gardner's first outing on Today pulls 256,000 metro viewers . 31 January 2018 . Mumbrella.
  7. Web site: 16 October 2015 . World Movies Celebrates: 20 Years with Rachel Griffiths . 31 January 2018 . SBS.
  8. Web site: Knox . David . 9 February 2018 . ABC board faces public meeting, Q&A style. . 12 February 2018 . TV Tonight.
  9. Web site: Idato . Michael . 5 August 2014 . Seven Network nets Olympic Games hat-trick with broadcast rights to 2020 . 8 August 2016 . The Sydney Morning Herald.
  10. Web site: Lehmann . John . 8 July 2014 . Seven Network reclaims rights to broadcast Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020 . 8 August 2016 . The Daily Telegraph.
  11. Web site: OzTam Survey Calendar 2018 . 22 December 2017 . OzTam . PDF.
  12. Web site: 8 February 2018 . Changes to FX, Nat Geo People and Eurosportnews . https://web.archive.org/web/20180718055316/https://community.foxtel.com.au/t5/Announcements/Changes-to-FX-Nat-Geo-People-and-Eurosportnews/m-p/230408 . 18 July 2018 . 18 July 2018 . Foxtel.
  13. Web site: 29 January 2018 . Fetch TV partners with Discovery Networks for two channels . 31 January 2018 . Mediaweek.
  14. Web site: Knox . David . 9 March 2018 . Bill McDonald to exit Seven News . 9 March 2018 . TV Tonight.
  15. Web site: 13 March 2018 . Year's first major reality winner: Fiona O'Loughlin named TEN's queen of the jungle . 14 March 2018 . Mediaweek.
  16. Web site: Knox . David . 20 March 2018 . Peter Mitchell apologises to court after "off script" comments . 21 March 2018 . TV Tonight.
  17. Web site: Murphy . Lana . 20 March 2018 . Channel 7 anchor slammed by judge for on-air blunder . 31 January 2023 . Nine News.
  18. Web site: Knox . David . 23 March 2018 . Claudia wins The Great Australian Bake Off 2018 . 23 March 2018 . TV Tonight.
  19. Web site: Knox . David . 26 March 2018 . AFL helps Seven snatch win, TEN's toughest week . 26 March 2018 . TV Tonight.
  20. Web site: Otto . Tyson . 29 March 2018 . Channel 9 in $60 million, Australian Open bombshell . 30 November 2018 . news.com.au.
  21. Web site: Knox . David . 3 April 2018 . Sydney trio wins Australian Spartan . 3 April 2018 . TV Tonight.
  22. Web site: Ward . Miranda . 20 August 2014 . Seven Network secure rights to Gold Coast Commonwealth Games . 22 December 2017 . Mumbrella.
  23. Web site: Bucklow . Andrew . 7 May 2018 . My Kitchen Rules winner Alex Clark spills behind the scenes secrets . 7 May 2018 . News Corp Australia.
  24. Web site: Chandra . Jessica . 18 June 2018 . Sam Perry is the winner of 'The Voice Australia' 2018 . Nine Celebrity.
  25. Web site: Knox . David . 25 June 2018 . Nine secures Australian Open for 2019 . 30 November 2018 . TV Tonight.
  26. Web site: Knox . David . 26 June 2018 . Better Homes and Gardens reaches 1000 episodes . 26 June 2018 . TV Tonight.
  27. Web site: 19 February 2018 . Logies shock! Date announced, eligibility changes categories slashed . 20 February 2018 . Mediaweek.
  28. Web site: Vnuk . Helen . 30 July 2018 . Toad and Mandy crowned winners of House Rules 2018 . Now To Love.
  29. News: Highest score ever: Sashi Cheliah crowned 2018 MasterChef winner . 6 September 2018 . Sydney Morning Herald.
  30. Web site: Smith . Rohan . 24 September 2018 . ABC sacks Michelle Guthrie, but chairman refuses to front 730 interview . 17 November 2018 . News Corp Australia.
  31. Web site: 27 September 2018 . Justin Milne resigns as ABC chairman amid growing fallout over Michelle Guthrie's sacking . 17 November 2018 . ABC News.
  32. Web site: Chandra . Jessica . 4 October 2018 . 'The Bachelor Australia' finale: Nick Cummins makes history by picking no one . 17 November 2018 . Nine Honey.
  33. Web site: Bond . Nick . 10 October 2018 . Why Survivor winner Shane Gould didn't want to go on the show . News Corp Australia.
  34. Web site: 11 October 2018 . Ian Henderson tried to leave the ABC — but the studio refused to let him go . 11 October 2018 . ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
  35. Web site: Tran . Danny . 12 October 2018 . Ian Henderson's farewell goes off without a glitch after studio crash delays retirement . 12 October 2018 . ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
  36. Web site: Khail . Shireen . 29 October 2018 . The Block 2018 auction: Hayden and Sara win this year's series in a nailbiting auction . News Corp Australia.
  37. News: Samios . Zoe . 31 October 2018 . Ten reveals first major rebrand in 27 years: Peach, Boss and 10 News First . 1 November 2018 . Mumbrella.
  38. Web site: Loomes . Phoebe . 2 November 2018 . Sky News commentator sacked over on-air racism . 2 November 2018 . news.com.au.
  39. Web site: Chandra . Jessica . 16 November 2018 . 'The Bachelorette Australia': Why we should have known Ali would pick Taite over Todd . 17 November 2018 . Nine Honey.
  40. Web site: Knox . David . 26 November 2018 . Lai Utovou wins All Together Now . 26 November 2018 . TV Tonight.
  41. Web site: 28 May 2018 . Australian News Channel and WIN Network sign 'historic' content agreement . 18 July 2018 . Sky News Australia.
  42. News: Cronin . Seanna . 4 August 2018 . Foxtel to launch 24 hour news on WIN . 4 August 2018 . The Cairns Post.
  43. News: Knox . David . 25 June 2018 . Nine & SKY News to launch Your Money channel . 18 July 2018 . TV Tonight.
  44. Web site: Knox . David . 26 October 2018 . Seven serves up 7Food channel . 26 October 2018 . TV Tonight.
  45. Web site: 24 November 2017 . SBS World Movies switches to Foxtel on Demand . 31 January 2018 . Mumbrella.
  46. Web site: The Romper Stomper Trailer Has Dropped and Hoo Boy, It Looks Intense . 17 November 2017 . Popsugar.
  47. Web site: Knox . David . 19 January 2018 . Airdate: Hughesy, We Have A Problem. . 19 January 2018 . TV Tonight.
  48. Web site: Knox . David . 29 January 2018 . Airdate: Grace Beside Me . 17 April 2018 . TV Tonight.
  49. Web site: Seven Unveils Hosts For 2018's Australian Spartan . 11 January 2018 . B&T.
  50. Web site: Knox . David . 19 February 2018 . Airdate: Australian Spartan . 20 February 2018.
  51. Web site: Knox . David . 10 March 2018 . Bachelor in Paradise to launch in non-ratings week . 11 March 2018 . TV Tonight.
  52. Web site: Clarke . Stewart . 7 December 2017 . Picnic at Hanging Rock for 2018 TV debut . 12 January 2018 . The West Australian.
  53. Web site: Sophie Monk confirmed for Love Island . TV Tonight.
  54. Web site: Knox . David . 11 October 2017 . Nine 2018 Upfronts: Renewals underpin new slate . 11 January 2018 . TV Tonight.
  55. Web site: Knox . David . 3 February 2018 . Paramedics new factual for Nine . TV Tonight.
  56. Web site: Cronin . Seanna . 11 January 2018 . Alex Russell answers S.W.A.T.'s call to action . 11 January 2018 . Sunshine Coast Daily.
  57. Web site: Knox . David . 20 January 2018 . Airdate: SEAL Team. Returning: Law & Order: SVU. . 20 January 2018 . TV Tonight.
  58. Web site: Knox . David . 13 December 2017 . Seven picks up UK drama Hard Sun . 13 December 2017 . TV Tonight.
  59. Web site: Knox . David . 31 January 2018 . Airdate: Hard Sun . 31 January 2018 . TV Tonight.
  60. Web site: Knox . David . 6 February 2018 . Airdate: Celebrity Big Brother (US) . 20 February 2018 . TV Tonight.
  61. Web site: Knox . David . 7 February 2018 . Airdate: Blue Planet II . 20 February 2018 . TV Tonight.
  62. Web site: Knox . David . 20 February 2018 . Airdate: Corporate . 20 February 2018 . TV Tonight.
  63. Web site: 23 January 2018 . Repeat prescription! New US medical drama The Resident coming to Seven . 23 January 2018 . Mediaweek.
  64. Web site: Knox . David . 19 February 2018 . Airdate: The Resident . 20 February 2018 . TV Tonight.
  65. Web site: Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement's Wellington Paranormal is coming to SBS VICELAND . 8 August 2018 . SBS . en.
  66. Web site: Knox . David . 30 January 2018 . Simpsons set for 7mate, MASH to 7TWO. . 30 January 2018 . TV Tonight.
  67. Web site: Knox . David . 9 September 2017 . Shaun Micallef reviving Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation -on Nine. . 9 September 2017 . TV Tonight.
  68. Web site: Knox . David . 4 July 2018 . Returning: Sports Tonight . 4 July 2018 . TV Tonight.
  69. Web site: Knox . David . 13 August 2017 . Russell Coight's All Aussie Adventures pushed to 2018 . 13 August 2017 . TV Tonight.
  70. News: Brook . Stephen . 9 November 2017 . Network Ten to bring back Blind Date . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171109191300/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/media-diary/network-ten-to-bring-back-blind-date/news-story/9d40f20442b452b14ec2e7ccc98d098c . 9 November 2017 . 2 March 2024 . . News Corp Australia.
  71. Web site: Knox . David . 6 June 2019 . 10 confirms Game of Games, Blind Date not returning. . 2 January 2020 . TV Tonight.
  72. News: Knox . David . 6 July 2018 . Axed: The Checkout . 18 July 2018 . TV Tonight.
  73. News: Knox . David . 1 May 2018 . Axed: screenPLAY . 18 July 2018 . TV Tonight.
  74. News: Lallo . Michael . 31 October 2018 . Network Ten in 2019: What's new, what's returning, what's gone? . 31 October 2018 . The Sydney Morning Herald . Fairfax Media.
  75. Web site: Knox . David . 26 January 2018 . Vale: Moya O'Sullivan . 2 March 2024 . TV Tonight.
  76. Web site: 17 January 2018 . Jessica Falkholt: Home and Away actress has died, hospital says . 17 January 2018 . . BBC.
  77. Web site: 5 May 2018 . Soapie star Cathy Godbold dies aged 43 . 2 March 2024 . The New Daily.
  78. News: Carmody . Broede . 29 May 2018 . Home and Away star Cornelia Frances dies aged 77 . subscription . The Sydney Morning Herald . Fairfax Media.
  79. News: 10 July 2018 . Australian TV legend Sam Chisholm dead at 78 . subscription . 2 March 2024 . . News Corp Australia.
  80. Web site: Knox . David . 1 December 2018 . Vale: Judy McBurney . 2 March 2024 . TV Tonight.
  81. News: Noyas . Jenny . 27 December 2018 . Australian actor Penny Cook dead at 61 . subscription . . Nine Entertainment.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "2018 in Australian television".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.